St. Louis Securities Fraud Lawyers

On a regular basis, individuals throughout Missouri and the United States are victims of broker negligence, improper account activity, investment scams and downright bad investment advice perpetrated brokerage firms and their financial advisors. If you have financially suffered due to suspected securities fraud, you have rights.

At the Law Offices of Robert J. Benbenek, we pride ourselves on our aggressive handling of a wide variety of securities fraud matters. We are a sophisticated and savvy securities fraud-focused law firm that is dedicated to aggressively pursuing recovery of hard-earned funds lost because of securities fraud. Our client base spans a broad range, including high-net-worth business owners, retirees, young professionals and others investing in the stock market, annuities, bonds, mutual funds, auction rate securities and other investments.

Types of Securities Fraud

There are many different types of securities fraud that can be committed by accountants, brokers, investors and other individuals that handle money for investments. Our firm handles cases involving all types of securities fraud and investment fraud, including:

• Inappropriate Investments: Did your broker misrepresent your risk tolerance as an investor? Did he or she forge your name on a risk-assessment survey? Did your brokerage firm sell you unsuitable variable annuities or other investments to earn commissions, without explaining the nature of the investment and the associated risks and fees involved?
• Speculative or Risky Investments: If you are near retirement age and your broker loaded your portfolio with volatile tech stocks rather than historically safer bonds, we can help. If your portfolio is not compatible with your investment goals, consult with us.
• Broker Negligence: Was your broker negligent in handling your hard-earned money? Did he or she fail to inform you about the nature of an investment? Or misrepresent facts about a security or stock? If your stockbroker put his own interests before yours or you lost money because of his negligence, we may be able to help you recoup your losses.
• Margin Trading: Unauthorized margin trading, margin trading without explaining the high risk involved, or permitting margin trading by investors who need the income from their investments
• Auction Rate Securities: Many major brokerage firms (including Wachovia and Merrill Lynch) marketed auction rate securities as being incredibly safe. In fact, these investments were based on corporate and municipal debt instruments and very risky. Many corporate, institutional and individual investors have lost substantial sums because these auction rate securities are impossible to sell and virtually worthless. We are in the process of evaluating and filing claims related to the fraudulent sale of auction rate securities. Please contact our office for a free consultation.
• Churning: The excessive buying and/or selling of stocks by your broker is called churning. The securities industry has rules against churning and excessive trading. This is one type of securities fraud that our firm confidently handles. Without your broker having control over investments in your account, churning cannot happen. Dishonest stock brokers and investment advisers purposely advise clients to frequently buy and sell stock and other investments. The motivation behind account churning is not to generate profits for investors, but to generate commissions and income for brokers. Over time, the charges add up against investors, and these brokers can be held responsible for excessive churning of your portfolio. They will nickel and dime your nest egg down to nickels and dimes if you let them.

Other types of fraudulent securities and investments include:

To learn more about your rights if you have been the victim of any type of securities fraud, contact an attorney at our St. Louis law firm and schedule a free initial consultation.

Available after hours by appointment

Robert J. Benbenek

13611 Barrett Office Dr., Suite 100
St. Louis, MO 63021
314-394-1135 (phone)
314-963-7754 (fax)